Community Foundation Funding Available for Parenting Education

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain's First Years First initiative focuses on early childhood development.

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain's First Years First initiative focuses on early childhood development. (Posted by DENNIS BUDEN, Community Contributor)

Community Contributor DENNIS BUDEN

For more than 10 years, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain's First Years First early childhood development initiative has played a vital role in advancing local early childhood development efforts, investing nearly $2 million in bold new programs that have bolstered the efforts of school systems and educators alike.

Now, the Foundation is taking steps to expand its impact by providing even more direct resources and tools for parents and families in an assertive effort to build school readiness.

The Foundation has issued a Request for Inquiries (RFI), seeking to learn about area projects and programs aimed at improving parenting education skills, increasing parental knowledge of child development and raising awareness of the importance of early education. The RFI is the first step, according to the Foundation, in identifying programs that may qualify for grant funding aimed at fulfilling First Years First's objective to equip children with the tools necessary to succeed in school.

"When focusing on increasing school readiness of young children, an integral part of the equation is providing education and skill development to parents as a way of ensuring the success of young learners," said Joeline Wruck, director of community initiatives. "We are looking for evidence-based programs that will provide that type of support."

The latest RFI, said Wruck, is a direct by-product of new First Years First goals and strategies adopted in 2015. First Years First's overarching objective today is to increase school readiness by focusing on skill development, parenting education and advocacy/public policy.

Since 2006, First Years First has supported the establishment of local Family Resource Centers, funded the efforts of local early childhood coalitions, successfully advocated for full-day kindergarten, funded new training and accreditation programs for pre-school educators, supported a successful new summer learning program and helped lead the charge in New Britain's successful efforts to significantly reduce chronic absence in schools.

To download the RFI, visit www.cfgnb.org and view the First Years First page under the Leading tab. Questions may be directed to Joeline Wruck, 860-229-6018, ext. 307, or jwruck@cfgnb.org.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is "Where Good Begins" in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org

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